RIO DE JANEIRO -- The Olympic golf tournament presents the possibility for something not seen at regular golf events: playoffs for second and third place.
Because medals are awarded for the first three finishers, there can be no ties at those positions. So in the event of a tie for first, second or third place on Sunday afternoon, a playoff or multiple playoffs will occur in sudden death immediately upon conclusion of the final round.
If two players are tied for first, a playoff will be conducted to determine the gold and silver medals. If three or more are tied, the playoff would determine the gold, silver and bronze.
If two or more players are tied for the second position, a playoff will be conducted to determine the silver and bronze medals. Or, if two or more are tied for third, a playoff will determine the bronze medal.
The bottom line is there will be just one gold, silver and bronze medal awarded.
Where things could get interesting is if there is a tie for first and a tie for third. In that case, there would be concurrent playoffs. A gold medal playoff would be conducted over the 18th, first and 17th holes and will be repeated as long as necessary. A bronze medal playoff would then take place over the first, 17th and 18th until completed.
Because of darkness concerns, the tee times will start 30 minutes earlier on Sunday, with the first group going off at 7 a.m. local time.
